Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has joined the battle to succeed Governor Wycliffe Oparanya as the Chairman of the Council of Governors(CoG).
Governor Mandago is set to face off for the seat with Kivutha Kibwana(Makueni), Salim Mvurya(Kwale), Ann Waiguru(Kirinyaga) and Mwangi Wa Iria(Murang’a).
There is intense lobbying for the seat ahead of the Council of Governors (CoG) elections slated for January 29.
The outcome is likely to reflect the rift between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.
Governors Mandago, Kibwana and Mvurya are close allies of DP Ruto while Wa Iria and Waiguru are allied to President Uhuru and Raila Odinga’s faction.
In the past CoG elections the county bosses have usually gone for consensus but in the event they fail to agree they will have to vote through secret ballot.
The offices of the CoG chairman comes with huge trappings of power, including a stand-by chopper, paid for by the council to facilitate their travel across the country.
He/She is also entitled to two personal assistants based at the CoG headquarters at Delta House, Westlands, Nairobi, also paid for by the council.
